The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-25

we'll made and kept, and q church Of
goodly size. Far away from the
world, ~ we. OF great cities and
noisy manufacturing villages know
II. seems and Ia this sweet island an
chored il the st. Lawrence stream.
In the southern channel OF the river,
twenty miles away, the great ocean
steamers go dimly past, and the
great ships whose white sails merge
and blend with the white clouds
hoat like vague forms down aud up;
hut hcre, for this north channel is
little frequented, the batteau Of
the coast sail by in shape Of hull
and sail as they we're 200 years ago,
and the small fisher crafts fit by In
early morn or at the cleaning.
This is all they see OF know Of the
great rushing, toiling, cursing and
praying world far, far beyond their
peaceful isle. A homely, contented,
simple people they are. Among
them you fnd the flavor OF the olden
time, like the rare bouquet Of wine
that has ripened and mcllowed it,
oils in the one cask for hundred
years; like-but, oh, SO divinely un-
like-all more modern wines. 30
these habitsns, these simple minded
folk in this old island. In language
aud habit and faith, smack OF medi-
eyal times, and Of Normandy and
old Breton, where the root OF which
they are the wandering tendrils was
first planted and still thrives.
Les Eboulments is the name OF q
village a few miles further down, but
in full view Of Bal st. Paul. II
stands. q cluster OF white cottages on
the rounded side of the mountain
and nigh its swelling dome. It's
name is generic TO the spot, but
characteristic, for this Is one OF the
earthquake centers OF the globe, aud
this hilltop hamlet is on the summit
OF q grand, ancient upheaval. Nor
have the old forces ceased TO work
aud move in the deep places Of the
neither world, even yet, for there is
no year goes by that tremblings arc
not felt hereabouts, and suggestive
mutterings heard. But IL was 10
1861 that this region was visited by
q oonvulsion, or q series OF oonvul.
sions rather, which were so tire.
mendous a. to rank them among the
earthquakes Of modern or ancient
times, and the Jesuit fathers have
lett this weird description Of the
terrible event:
The violence OF the earthquake
was greatest In the forests. where II
appeared as II there was q battle
raging between the trees; for not
only their branches were destroyed,
but even their trunks are said TO
have been detached from their
places and dashed against each other
with great violence aud confusion
20 much 80 that the Indians declared
III the trees we're drunk. The war
llso seemed TO DO carried on between
he mountains, some Of which vera
sorn from their beds and thrown
upon others, leaving immense chasms
in the place from whence they had
issued, and the very trees with
which they were 30 thickly COW
cred sunk down, leaving only their
tops above the surface Of the earth,
others we're completely overturned.
and the roots only remaining above
ground. During this wreck OF nature,
he ice. upwards OF six feet thick,
vas rent aud thrown up in large
,ieccs, aud from the openings, In
many parts, their issued thick clouds
4 smoke, or fountains OF dirt aud
and, which spouted TO . cousidera-
,le height. The springs we're either
'hoked up or impregnated with sui.
blur; many rivers were totally.
,thers were diverted from their
,ourse, aud their waters entirely
Some OF them became
yellow, some red, and the 81. Law.
fenoe became entirely white as lar
down as Tadousac. This extraordi.
nary phenomenon must astonish
those who know the sire Of the
river. and the immense body
OF water in various parts, which
must have required such an abuna.
ance OF water 10 whitcn II. They
write from Montreal that during the
earthquake they plainly saw the
stakes Of the Palisades jump up as II
they had been dancing; and that OF
two doors in the same room, one
opened and the other shut Of their
own accord; that the chimpeys aud
tops OF the houses bent like branches
Of trees agitated by the wind; that
when they went TO walk, they felt
the earth following them and rising
at every step they took"
And a. one sails along the coast
aud observes the face Of the country,
aud considers how uneven and angu-
lar the bed Of the river must In
every place be. 10 cause such violent
commotion In the current at the sur.
face, very like what He'll Gate used
to be before the government
made the improvement there, he can
well believe that many aad violent
commotiops have been felt here, by
which the face Of the country has
undergone sudden aud tremendous
changes.
Upon the scene Of all these
changes in nature by nature's un.
goyorpsble forces. Les Eboulments.
itselt builded upon the slope and
dome OF volcanic mountain, looks
calmly down. From il such a view
Of the st. Lawrence and outlying
country can be obtained as may be
had only at two other points on the
great riyer--ihat from Cape Dia-
mond at Quebec, aud from Mount
Royal at Montreal. The circle of
vision iron Les Eboulmea,s is
limited only by the gaSu's capacity
OF sight. The height il lofty enough
TO overlook more than the eye can
see. To the north aud west, mount
ain on mountain, the LAURENT an
range 10 It's uoblest grouping; 10 the
south, the highlands OF the Maine
wilderness aud the mountains whose
springs iced tho Chaudiere, the 81.
Francis, aud the Richeliou. Be.
tween these, the valley OF the st.
Lawrence, its current twenty miles
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